Ribbon-cutting celebrates “dog wonderland”

“This is where dogs come just to be dogs,” he said. “This is truly one of a kind. It’s a dog wonderland.”

Located at 18050 Bunge Ave. in Council Bluffs, S&B Kountry Kennel offers boarding, training, grooming and doggie day care services with a total of 107 kennels.

There are play areas, both inside and out, a self-washing station, as well as a sitting room where owners can relax with their dogs.

“We have four boarding rooms and every room has its own yard,” Huntoon said.

The kennel also takes in dogs for adoption.

Behind the facility is a 55,000-square-foot dog park for members only featuring a newly redesigned and much cleaner pool that the dogs love, Huntoon said.  

Also in that park are two mole hills for the dogs to enjoy.

“There are no toys here, nothing to fight over,” said Huntoon, who has been in this business for nearly 10 years.

In April 2016, he opened a dog boarding facility in Glenwood. It was much needed.

“This area was really desperate for dog kennels,” Huntoon said.

Eventually, he purchased the current site, totaling 8.5 acres, and opened it in June 2023.

“I designed this on paper,” said Huntoon, who also helped build it.

Department of Agriculture officials who came to inspect the new facility were impressed, he said.

“It was the nicest in the state,” Huntoon said.

Huntoon said many dogs struggle socializing with other dogs.

“They didn’t really have a place to go just to be dogs,” he said. “A lot of pet owners keep their dogs in their house and in their yard, so the dog never gets a chance to meet other dogs. Of course, that translates right to walking a dog.”

When dogs are taken for walks, they may become aggressive when facing dogs in other people’s yards or as Huntoon called it barrier aggression.

“So, I created a place to remove those barriers and we do it safer than just let dogs loose,” he said.

Plans are in the works for creating a place for social functions on the second floor.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony to recognize this new business was held on Wednesday, Oct. 16.

Among those speaking was Council Bluffs Mayor Matt Walsh.

“What an amazing place,” Walsh said after taking a tour. “It’s so clean, smells so clean and fresh. You can tell by the tour how much Joe cares and certainly a testament to how well your dogs will be taken care of. You will be highly recommended by these people and by myself.”

Chuck Bardon of Council Bluffs brings his boxer, Jasper, about three or four times weekly there.

“He starts howling the minute I come on the road because he knows that it is coming,” Bardon said. “I haven’t had a bit of problems.”